Be Wild, Little One

by Olivia Hope, Daniel Egnéus (Illustrator)

Overview

This gorgeous, inspiring picture book-a perfect gift for new babies or for graduations-celebrates the magic in our world and the wildness in each of us.

Embark upon an uplifting journey through the wonders of nature: from lush pine forests to awe-inspiring mountains, and from sparkling seas to starry skies, each page is exquisite. Fly across oceans, run with wolves through winter snow, dance with fireflies, and dare to BE WILD!

With a lyrical text from debut author Olivia Hope and immersive illustrations by acclaimed artist Daniel Egnéus, this stunning book brims with joy and possibility.

Cross the ocean, sail the seas . . .
Trek in jungles, climb up trees.
Swing along with chimpanzees!
Be wild, little one.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781547611256
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	02/28/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	33 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Olivia Hope is an Irish writer with a special love for children's fiction. Before becoming an author, she was a former record-breaking hammer thrower, and competed internationally. She lives in the South West of Ireland with her husband and sons. Be Wild, Little One is her first book.
Twitter: @hopewrites

Daniel Egnéus is a prolific artist who has illustrated numerous books, including the acclaimed nonfiction books Moth: An Evolution Story, Fox: A Circle of Life Story, and several Neil Gaiman titles. He was voted Best Illustrator by the Association of Illustrators in 2005. He is based in Athens, Greece.
danielegneus.com
Instagram: @danielegneus

Editorial Reviews

04/24/2023

With a bouncy, joyful urgency, Hope’s debut directs readers to embrace a bold inner spirit and explore a natural world filled with enchantment and possibility. An unseen narrator invokes the titular refrain through rhyming stanzas that state how one might wring the most out of life’s experiences: “Chase tornadoes/ high and low./ Storms will come,/ but storms will go.// Run with wolves/ through mountain snow./ Be wild, little one.” Meanwhile, a child portrayed with light skin and floppy brown hair exuberantly performs variations on the narrated actions. Egnéus’s ethereal collage-style illustrations depict the child riding on a elephant’s trunk, rowing a boat above a swirl of colorful fish in the “deepest blues,” and dancing with fireflies that flash like confetti across a green sky. It’s a lively reminder of how the call of the wild can stir one’s soul. Ages 3–6. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

". . . a lively reminder of how the call of the wild can stir one’s soul." - Publishers Weekly

“Egnéus' illustrations delight . . . Rich patterns and vibrant colors keep the pages turning along with the rollicking rhyming verse. Each page is an enticement to get outside and explore.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Luminously beautiful.” —The Guardian

“Utterly enchanting.” —The Daily Mail

“A touching, gorgeously rendered story.” —Booklist, starred review, on FOX: A CIRCLE OF LIFE STORY

“The images of the foxes are lively and delicate, while the forest world depicted creates an evocative setting.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on FOX: A CIRCLE OF LIFE STORY

“Extraordinary in writing and illustration.” —The Horn Book, starred review, on FOX: A CIRCLE OF LIFE STORY

“From its striking silver-plated cover on, this is a stunner.” —Booklist, starred review, on MOTH: AN EVOLUTION STORY

“Egnéus creates stunning visuals that feel soft and organic, yet also intricate and precise.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review, on MOTH: AN EVOLUTION STORY

“Lushly illustrated . . . This superb book, with its message of hope, is a standout.” —School Library Connection, starred review, on MOTH: AN EVOLUTION STORY

From the Publisher

2022-12-24
Hope’s debut book is a bit of encouragement for kids to enjoy the natural world.

Readers follow along as a light-skinned child with short brown hair sporting blue shorts and a striped T explores the world around them. “Wake up early. Don’t be shy. / This bright world can make you FLY! / Be wild, little one.” In this scene, the child is reminiscent of Thumbelina, a tiny figure curled inside a poppy watching an array of butterflies. “Make the world / your own playground. / Fill it with a noisy sound” shows the child perched in the curve of an elephant’s trunk as they lead a noisy stamping parade of elephants. Readers are encouraged to explore the world—from the skies to the seas to the tops of trees—all the while being wild. It’s clear that imagination plays a key part in this book. Egnéus’ illustrations delight, from the child flying atop a white bird to dangling in a basket under a dandelion puff balloon. The “dance with fireflies” is especially delightful. Rich patterns and vibrant colors keep the pages turning along with the rollicking rhyming verse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Each page is an enticement to get outside and explore. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews